Title: Sleeping With the Enemy (Chapter 3/?) Author: Meleth (meleth.legolas@yahoo.com) Type: FPS Cast or Paring: Ultimately Elladan/Legolas. Mithrandir, Elrond, Erestor, Glorfindel, Thranduil, Bargon, (Thranduil’s Counselor OMC), Maethoron, (Thranduil’s Captain OMC), Elladan, Elrohir, Legolas, Celebrian and the elfling Arwen. Elladan, Elladan, Elrond, Celebrian, Erestor, Glorfindel, Arwen, Legolas, Bargon, Maethoron and Thranduil in this chapter. Rating: NC-17 Disclaimer: They aren’t mine, no matter how much I wish it, and I am not making any money. Timeline: Third Age. Warning: AU. Angst. Adult language and situations. At times, this story contains males involved in homoerotic acts, i.e. explicit sex. If this is not to your liking -- read NO further. Beta: The one and only Aglarien who is more patient than anyone I know. Thanks Agie! Any other mistakes are my own. A/N: *Emphasis* This story has been floating around in my mind and demanded to be written. It features a darker Elladan than we are used to and a young vulnerable Legolas. For the purpose of this story, I have decided (with some advice from the great and wonderful Min.) that the age of majority for an elf is 500 years. Legolas will reach his majority during the year of their betrothal. NO underage sex!!! NO non-con and NO rape!!! Feedback: Would be wonderful and makes me type faster! Summary: The Spring thaw has arrived and Legolas bids farewell to his father and Taur-nu- Fuin. Imladris awaits the arrival of the young prince, some with more anticipation than others. Chapter Three Taur-nu-Fuin Thranduil hugged Legolas one more time, promising to visit Imladris in the fall. Legolas clung to him, frightened to be leaving his home for the unknown. The prince swore he wouldn’t shed a tear, but as he turned to mount Faerlain, his resolve left him and tears stained his cheeks. “Be brave, my son, as I know you are,” Thranduil said, trying to encourage the prince. Legolas wiped the tears away and nodded his head. “I shall make you proud of me, father. Taur- nu-Fuin will not be disgraced by my behavior.” “I am always proud of you pen-neth, no matter what you do.” the king assured him. “Write me many letters and I shall reply straight away. Melin chen, Legolas.” “Melin chen, father,” the prince replied as he sat up straight and gained control of his emotions. “I shall miss the forest, but you most of all.” Thranduil forced a smile and took the prince’s hand. “I shall miss your laughter and mischievous behavior. Lady Celebrian will spoil you. Do not take advantage of her kindness.” “Nay, father, I will not,” Legolas swore solemnly as Maethoron joined them. “We are ready sire,” the captain informed them. “Take good care of my son, my friend,” the king replied. “His life is in your hands until you reach Imladris.” “Aye, sire. Nothing will happen to our Prince,” Maethoron swore, trying to smile in spite of the melancholic atmosphere. As the captain mounted his horse and alerted the rest of the party, Thranduil looked at his son once again. “May the Valar bless and keep you, my son,” he said, patting the prince’s knee. “I wish the same for you, my king,” Legolas replied forlornly as he turned to join the party escorting him to his new life. Once the party was out of sight, Thranduil let his tears fall. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Imladris Two Weeks Later Scouts had sent word that the party from Taur-nu-Fuin was approaching and would arrive before the evening meal. Last minute preparations were made for Maethoron and Thranduil’s counselor Bargon’s rooms, as the guards’ accommodations were finalized with Glorfindel. The prince would be housed in the family wing with Elrond and his family. Celebrian made sure dinner would be appetizing to everyone and ensured that some of Legolas’ favorite dishes would be served. Arwen followed her mother around as the Lady of Imladris double checked the staff’s work. Erestor and Elrond went over the contract one last time to make sure everything was in order. Bargon would sign as Thranduil’s representative, as Erestor would for Elrond. The Elf lord’s only worry was Elladan. He had been in a fouler mood than usual the last week, and Elrond hoped he would at least try to be cordial when the prince arrived. The bell ringing in the courtyard alerted everyone to the advent of the Taur-nu-Fuin elves, and everyone made their way to the steps to welcome them. Elladan was the last to arrive and Elrond sighed with relief when he saw that the twins had dressed differently. Maethoron and Bargon greeted Lord Elrond, and passed on Thranduil’s good wishes and correspondence. The captain turned and urged a young blond elf forward and presented him to Imladris. “My Lord Elrond, may I introduce Prince Legolas, son of Thranduil, King of Taur-nu-Fuin?” Maethoron asked with pride. Legolas stepped forward shyly and gave Elrond a respectful bow. “It is an honor to finally meet you, hiren.” “I must say the honor is all mine, young Legolas,” Elrond replied with kindness. “Allow me to introduce everyone. This is my wife, the Lady Celebrian.” “I must insist you call me Celebrian, my Prince,” the lady of Imladris replied with a smile. “If you need anything, please come to me.” “My daughter, Arwen,” Elrond continued as the elfling hid in her mother‘s shirts. “She is rather shy around someone new, but will warm to you quickly. My captain, Lord Glorfindel.” Legolas smiled at the one person he knew anything about in the realm; the famed Balrog slayer. “Hiren,” he said as he bowed. “Glorfindel, please,” the blond warrior insisted, smiling kindly at the young elf. “Erestor is my Chief Counselor and our Librarian. You will be spending the mornings with him, as he will be tutoring you while you are here,” Elrond said and then smiled. “Don’t let his dark robes fool you. He is very kind and easy to get along with.” The prince returned Erestor’s kind smile and bowed with respect. “Hiren.” “This is my son, Elrohir,” Elrond said as the elf knight stepped forward and greeted Legolas with a warriors’ greeting. “Well met, prince Legolas,” Elrohir said with a smile. “It is good to finally meet one who is so very skilled with the bow. Perhaps we can find time for the archery field after our meal.” “It would please me to do so, Elrohir,” Legolas answered kindheartedly as he flushed from the praise. “A turn on the archery field is always welcome.” The prince turned back to face Elrond and grew more nervous. He knew that Elladan would be the last to be introduced and the elf warrior looked like he would rather be in an orc den than where he was at the moment. “And finally, this is my son, Elladan,” Elrond said, hoping to settle both the prince and his son by smiling. “He has been waiting to….” Legolas didn’t hear another word the elf lord said as his eyes met Elladan’s. The prince had never seen such a beautiful set of gray eyes in his life and he could not help staring. Although he was of similar build to Elrohir, Elladan seemed to be more muscled and his limbs thicker. A true warrior elf, as was Elrohir. Elladan’s face would have been beautiful except for the scowl he was presently wearing. “Well met, young prince,” Elladan said with barely disguised detestation. Legolas was taken aback, but rallied and proved himself gracious. “’Tis an honor to meet you and your family, Elladan.” The scowl on Elladan’s face grew and he rolled his eyes with a sigh. “Shall we show you to your rooms so that you may rest before we have our evening meal?” Celebrian suggested, trying to fight the urge to pummel her eldest. “Aye, my lady, a rest would do us well,” Legolas answered courteously. “We are weary and need refreshing.” The welcoming party broke up and each visitor was led to their rooms. Legolas was shocked to be housed in the family corridor, but thanked Celebrian generously for their thoughtfulness. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ “The prince is not what I expected,” Elrohir remarked once he and Elladan were alone in the courtyard. “Nay, he does not seem spoiled, but he has just arrived. I am sure his true behavior will come out soon,” Elladan replied, bored with the conversation already. “His youthful body will grow, but he will still be lithe. He is fair of face, and I am sure he will grow to be one of the most beautiful elves in all of Arda,” Elrohir continued, ignoring his brother’s obvious ire. “Neither his beauty nor his body concern me, brother,” Elladan replied snidely. “I am only concerned with what he can do as a warrior. I will teach him, and he will grow. End of discussion.” Elrohir had a point, though. Even now Legolas was fair and his youthful body would fill out. The young, fair prince of Taur-nu-Fuin would grow into a beautiful warrior prince. Elladan growled at his thoughts and left his brother to find something to keep busy with until the evening meal. TBC